Obama 'close to acting alone on immigration'

[webfact]

Obama 'close to acting alone on immigration'

WASHINGTON: -- President Barack Obama is close to announcing major changes to the US immigration system through executive action, US media report.

Reports in the New York Times and Fox News say Mr Obama is planning to extend protection from deportation to some parents of legal US residents.

The overall plan is estimated to affect as many as five million undocumented immigrants living in the US.

Republicans in Congress say such action would be beyond Mr Obama's authority.

Senator Jeff Sessions told Fox News on Wednesday the reported execution actions were "a threat to the constitutional order".

And House Speaker John Boehner said last week Mr Obama would end any chance of immigration reform within Congress if he took unilateral action.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30042847


-- BBC 2014-11-14

[Jingthing]

Good. The congress is now completely controlled by far right wing xenophobic reactionaries. The people elected Obama TWICE, and NOT to do NOTHING.

[chuckd]

I'm still wondering why the Democrats didn't take care of immigration when they controlled both Houses of Congress during the first two years of Obama's reign. They had the votes and all the power then.

For him to try and do it by Executive action would seem to be a violation of Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, which states in part...

"To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalilzation..."

Immigration is an integral part of Naturalization and is guaranteed by the Constitution as being the sole province of Congress.

I cannot see whatever action he takes as being Constitutional.

Of course that has never bothered him before.

[HeijoshinCool]

Bad.

I am going through the process of getting my wife a visa. Why? Because I obey the law.

She has to take vaccinations, get a medical, get police clearance/background check, be interviewed, and provide proof of our relationship. I must provide proof of my income/assets.

It will be quite a few thousand dollars to follow the law.

But these folks, many of them felons, can just walk across without any of that.

[zaphod reborn]

Unfortunately, like medical insurance reform, it is the wrong solution. The political climate in the US prevents implementation of legislation that would actually fix these problems. For medical care, the insurance companies stood in the way of real reform which would have lowered the cost and expanded medical access for all. The insurance companies are an unnecessary middleman that increases the cost of medical care in the US over 100%.

For immigration reform, the proper solution is to legitimize those undocumented immigrants who are contributing to the economy or society, and deport the criminals. Give payroll tax breaks to companies employing US citizens, with smaller payroll tax breaks for employing foreign workers. That way, employers have an incentive for hiring US citizens first, documented foreign workers second, and reduced incentive for hiring undocumented workers. The failure to realize that business and the labor market drives the entire immigration issue in the US is the reason the political system can't come up with the right solution. Obama's executive order doesn't improve the situation much, and just hardens the anti-immigration sentiment.

[CMNightRider]

Good. The congress is now completely controlled by far right wing xenophobic reactionaries. The people elected Obama TWICE, and NOT to do NOTHING.

Good??? You would think Obama would be more interested in admitting people likely to succeed in America, rather than uneducated deadbeats who entered the country illegally. I'm surprised anyone of sound mind would support amnesty.

[NeverSure]

Good. The congress is now completely controlled by far right wing xenophobic reactionaries. The people elected Obama TWICE, and NOT to do NOTHING.

They didn't elect him to violate the constitution, or anoint himself king.

If he does this he will guarantee there will be a Republican president next term. The public uproar will be deafening.

He'll probably be impeached for violating the constitution which is a crime. The constitution is LAW. He could spend time in prison. There will soon be enough Republicans in the Senate that together with conservative Democrats from the South they will have the 60 votes they need to run Obama out of town.

Be careful what you wish for. If Obama upsets a lot more people, the Democrats will be (more) finished.

[zaphod reborn]

If he does this he will guarantee there will be a Republican president next term. The public uproar will be deafening.

He'll probably be impeached for violating the constitution which is a crime.

No, impeaching Obama will guarantee there will be a Democrat elected President and a Democratic Congress. Didn't you learn your lesson with Clinton? C'mon, impeaching a constitutional lawyer for violating the constitution. Give me a break.

[NeverSure]

If he does this he will guarantee there will be a Republican president next term. The public uproar will be deafening.

He'll probably be impeached for violating the constitution which is a crime.

No, impeaching Obama will guarantee there will be a Democrat elected President and a Democratic Congress. Didn't you learn your lesson with Clinton? C'mon, impeaching a constitutional lawyer for violating the constitution. Give me a break.

What are you saying? Democrat Clinton was impeached in 1999 and the next year a Republican was elected president. The same Republican was elected again 4 years later.

What lesson would you take from that?

[zaphod reborn]

If he does this he will guarantee there will be a Republican president next term. The public uproar will be deafening.

He'll probably be impeached for violating the constitution which is a crime.

No, impeaching Obama will guarantee there will be a Democrat elected President and a Democratic Congress. Didn't you learn your lesson with Clinton? C'mon, impeaching a constitutional lawyer for violating the constitution. Give me a break.

What are you saying? Democrat Clinton was impeached in 1999 and the next year a Republican was elected president. The same Republican was elected again 4 years later.

What lesson would you take from that?

I love Republican revisionism. Your memory is as short as your . . . http://www.gallup.com/poll/4111/clinton-receives-record-high-job-approval-rating-after-impeachment-vot.aspx

[JockPieandBeans]

For immigration reform, the proper solution is to legitimize those undocumented immigrants who are contributing to the economy or society, and deport the criminals. Give payroll tax breaks to companies employing US citizens, with smaller payroll tax breaks for employing foreign workers. That way, employers have an incentive for hiring US citizens first, documented foreign workers second, and reduced incentive for hiring undocumented workers.

The proper solution is to kick them out as the Illegals that they are.

Why should Governments give Companies tax breaks ? Why not prosecute companies for hiring Illegals ?

Surely that will reduce the incentive to be an Illegal.

Not a dig at america, UK take note also.

[NeverSure]

If he does this he will guarantee there will be a Republican president next term. The public uproar will be deafening.

He'll probably be impeached for violating the constitution which is a crime.

No, impeaching Obama will guarantee there will be a Democrat elected President and a Democratic Congress. Didn't you learn your lesson with Clinton? C'mon, impeaching a constitutional lawyer for violating the constitution. Give me a break.

What are you saying? Democrat Clinton was impeached in 1999 and the next year a Republican was elected president. The same Republican was elected again 4 years later.

What lesson would you take from that?

I love Republican revisionism. Your memory is as short as your . . . http://www.gallup.com/poll/4111/clinton-receives-record-high-job-approval-rating-after-impeachment-vot.aspx

Polls schmolls. It's not revisionist to say that Democrat Clinton was impeached in 1999 and that the next year a Republic was elected president and was re-elected 4 years later.

The only polls that count are in the voting booths.

[CMCMANGOMAN]

Obama and his litte executive left handed pen along with a sycophantic dem party and people have caused a once truly great conservative country to stumble and falter.

This latest amnesty scam of his is nothing more than attempt to gain illegal votes from criminals, fops and ner'do wells. His is a failed presidency because it was illegitimate from its inception. The man is a farce and a useful idiot of the leftist elite that try to control people through ignorance, taxation threats and entitlements.

Anyone with an honest heart, a conscience, a moral compass and a working brain can clearly see this obama is not a friend to America or its constitution.

He has a destructive and demoralizing agenda in mind for not only the USA but for the entire world. And btw, he is simply following orders from higher ups but he is a true believer so completely culpable. His controlers are attempting great harm to the less fortunate people of this planet. There is great evil behind obama and his ilk. The blind and ignorant deny this emphatically. Nevertheless, its all true.

[samran]

Politically speaking, it is baiting.

Float the idea, get the lunar right doing what they do best.

Either get a comprehensive reform through this current congress (there are more than a few republicans of the dry economic variety who would love to see some sort of guest worker scheme) or...

Do it by executive powers.

Have the well funded lunar right take this to the supreme court. Putting them up on stage during a presidential election doing what they do best, ensuring the best possible ever Hispanic turn out to usher Hillary into office.

So that's he plan, all it needs is the lunar right to ented stage right on cue!!!

Edited November 14, 2014 by samran

[Thaiready]

Good. The congress is now completely controlled by far right wing xenophobic reactionaries. The people elected Obama TWICE, and NOT to do NOTHING.

yep....The Congress and House members were elected by the PEOPLE.......you may continue crying Left-Wing Xenoohobic.

[kamahele]

I'm still wondering why the Democrats didn't take care of immigration when they controlled both Houses of Congress during the first two years of Obama's reign. They had the votes and all the power then.

For him to try and do it by Executive action would seem to be a violation of Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, which states in part...

"To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalilzation..."

Immigration is an integral part of Naturalization and is guaranteed by the Constitution as being the sole province of Congress.

I cannot see whatever action he takes as being Constitutional.

Of course that has never bothered him before.

There was a bipartisan immigration deal in the making even prior to Obama's election. However, the right decided that they would do anything in their power to block everything and anything the president approved of including immigration (lets not even talk of how they tried and succeeded to slow the improvement of the economy). Even though the left had "control" of both houses for two years, having a simple majority does not a vote make. 50% plus one does not pass any bill, you must have 60 votes in congress and there is no guarantee that even all democrats will vote with the president as several lean towards the right. Presidential executive orders are legal and were given to the office of the president by congress through the constitution. The Congress can use its powers over money and refuse to fund his orders and can also take him to court as the courts can override an executive order. So fully legal.

[harryfrompattaya]

Still impossible to take 30 year younger GF on a trip the USA

[rickirs]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Good. alt=clap2.gif> The congress is now completely controlled by far right wing xenophobic reactionaries. The people elected Obama TWICE, and NOT to do NOTHING.

They didn't elect him to violate the constitution, or anoint himself king.

If he does this he will guarantee there will be a Republican president next term. The public uproar will be deafening.

He'll probably be impeached for violating the constitution which is a crime. The constitution is LAW. He could spend time in prison. There will soon be enough Republicans in the Senate that together with conservative Democrats from the South they will have the 60 votes they need to run Obama out of town.

Be careful what you wish for. If Obama upsets a lot more people, the Democrats will be (more) finished.

"He could spend time in prison"

"The impeachment process is political in nature, not criminal. Congress has no power to impose criminal penalties on impeached officials. But criminal courts may try and punish officials if they have committed crimes." - Constitutional Rights Foundation. Political actions alone do not generally meet the criteria for crime within the judicial system. Typical crimes committed by politicians are bribery, conspiracy to commit a crime (ie., POTUS Richard Nixon), murder, theft, etc. A POTUS taking an inappropriate executive action is not a criminal action.

In fact POTUS executive decisions have substantial foundation within the history of both Democratic and Republican POTUS terms. Would Republicans be so careless so as to establish restrictions on POTUS executive directives should the political table ever be reversed? With a majority House, Republicans have the power to (again) legally shutdown the government by withholding funding from the Executive Branch.

[HeijoshinCool]

Politically speaking, it is baiting.

Float the idea, get the lunar right doing what they do best.

Either get a comprehensive reform through this current congress (there are more than a few republicans of the dry economic variety who would love to see some sort of guest worker scheme) or...

Do it by executive powers.

Have the well funded lunar right take this to the supreme court. Putting them up on stage during a presidential election doing what they do best, ensuring the best possible ever Hispanic turn out to usher Hillary into office.

So that's he plan, all it needs is the lunar right to ented stage right on cue!!!

.

No reform is needed. A following of the law is needed.

They broke the law, deport them and they can apply for a visa, like my wife must do, and for which I must spend my hard-earned money---

Oh, wait, if my wife had violated the law by illegally entering the States, there would be a permanent ineligibility for her to get a visa.

Oh, well, then just deport them.

[samran]

Good. The congress is now completely controlled by far right wing xenophobic reactionaries. The people elected Obama TWICE, and NOT to do NOTHING.

yep....The Congress and House members were elected by the PEOPLE.......you may continue crying Left-Wing Xenoohobic.

True. Just as not as many people who elect a president.....

[uptheos]

I think staying in Naypyidaw (a purpose built city for dictators) has gone to his head,

[ezzra]

What Obama is doing is akin to cutting his nose to spite his face, he knows very well that this shenanigans

will not go quietly and that the GOP will everything in their power to stop this from happening and stop

funding to carry out the order... now, let the show begin....

We sure live in an interesting times...

[zydeco]

What Obama is doing is akin to cutting his nose to spite his face, he knows very well that this shenanigans

will not go quietly and that the GOP will everything in their power to stop this from happening and stop

funding to carry out the order... now, let the show begin....

We sure live in an interesting times...

20-30 million illegals made immediately eligible for Obamacare subsidies will sink the system all by itself.

[Ulysses G.]

If he does this he will guarantee there will be a Republican president next term. The public uproar will be deafening.

He'll probably be impeached for violating the constitution which is a crime.

No, impeaching Obama will guarantee there will be a Democrat elected President and a Democratic Congress. Didn't you learn your lesson with Clinton? C'mon, impeaching a constitutional lawyer for violating the constitution. Give me a break.

What are you saying? Democrat Clinton was impeached in 1999 and the next year a Republican was elected president. The same Republican was elected again 4 years later.

What lesson would you take from that?

I love Republican revisionism. Your memory is as short as your . . . http://www.gallup.com/poll/4111/clinton-receives-record-high-job-approval-rating-after-impeachment-vot.aspx

Only one problem, your poll has nothing to do with what he said, which was accurate: Clinton was impeached in 1999 and the next year a Republican was elected president. That is a FACT.

Edited November 14, 2014 by Ulysses G.

[CMNightRider]

Good. The congress is now completely controlled by far right wing xenophobic reactionaries. The people elected Obama TWICE, and NOT to do NOTHING.

Good??? You would think Obama would be more interested in admitting people likely to succeed in America, rather than uneducated deadbeats who entered the country illegally. I'm surprised anyone of sound mind would support amnesty.

There is a method to his 'madness'..

Guess who these newly-minted citizens are gonna vote for come next election.

Hint....not GOP.

That explains everything really.

I think you are right as sinister as it sounds. Its all about votes. There is no other logical explanation of why anyone would want to flood a country with illegal, uneducated aliens, while educated people with real work skills stand in line to enter the U.S. legally.

[samran]

Good. The congress is now completely controlled by far right wing xenophobic reactionaries. The people elected Obama TWICE, and NOT to do NOTHING.

Good??? You would think Obama would be more interested in admitting people likely to succeed in America, rather than uneducated deadbeats who entered the country illegally. I'm surprised anyone of sound mind would support amnesty.

There is a method to his 'madness'..

Guess who these newly-minted citizens are gonna vote for come next election.

Hint....not GOP.

That explains everything really.

I think you are right as sinister as it sounds. Its all about votes. There is no other logical explanation of why anyone would want to flood a country with illegal, uneducated aliens, while educated people with real work skills stand in line to enter the U.S. legally.

Might have something to do with the fact that many sectors of the U.S. economy are reliant of low cost migrant labour.

As much as you want to make this a conspiracy theory, more than a few republicans would love to see sort of migrant labor scheme.

If there were votes in this, the democrats would have done this years ago.

[JockPieandBeans]

I think you are right as sinister as it sounds. Its all about votes. There is no other logical explanation of why anyone would want to flood a country with illegal, uneducated aliens, while educated people with real work skills stand in line to enter the U.S. legally.

Same affliction that infected the Labour Party in the UK.

[CMNightRider]

I think you are right as sinister as it sounds. Its all about votes. There is no other logical explanation of why anyone would want to flood a country with illegal, uneducated aliens, while educated people with real work skills stand in line to enter the U.S. legally.

Might have something to do with the fact that many sectors of the U.S. economy are reliant of low cost migrant labour.

As much as you want to make this a conspiracy theory, more than a few republicans would love to see sort of migrant labor scheme.

If there were votes in this, the democrats would have done this years ago.

How many more millions of illegal aliens do you think it takes to pick fruit?

[JockPieandBeans]

I think you are right as sinister as it sounds. Its all about votes. There is no other logical explanation of why anyone would want to flood a country with illegal, uneducated aliens, while educated people with real work skills stand in line to enter the U.S. legally.

Might have something to do with the fact that many sectors of the U.S. economy are reliant of low cost migrant labour.

As much as you want to make this a conspiracy theory, more than a few republicans would love to see sort of migrant labor scheme.

If there were votes in this, the democrats would have done this years ago.

How many more millions of illegal aliens do you think it takes to pick fruit?

Some people have difficulty in distinguishing between legal and illegal migration.

[samran]

I think you are right as sinister as it sounds. Its all about votes. There is no other logical explanation of why anyone would want to flood a country with illegal, uneducated aliens, while educated people with real work skills stand in line to enter the U.S. legally.

Might have something to do with the fact that many sectors of the U.S. economy are reliant of low cost migrant labour.

As much as you want to make this a conspiracy theory, more than a few republicans would love to see sort of migrant labor scheme.

If there were votes in this, the democrats would have done this years ago.

How many more millions of illegal aliens do you think it takes to pick fruit?

It is the law of basic economics here. If there are jobs for them people will come.

Note, I'm not arguing in favour of illegal inmigration, just stating that there is demand for it.

That it is an intractable issue in the us context is stupid. Even Thailand manages to have an acceptable migrant labour program that can accomodate and legalise those who come from neighbouring countries.

This one really shoildnt be rocket science.

Edited November 14, 2014 by samran